Dec 22 2020 — The Canadian Press — Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada and Britain have agreed not to raise tariffs on each other’s goods when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union at the end of the month. After Brexit, Canada-U.K. trade won’t be covered by the free-trade treaty Canada has with the EU. The two countries have a deal […]
Dec 15 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Government says it’s adhering to the terms of the trade agreement. Ottawa—Donald Trump’s dislike for Canada’s supply management system manifested itself during the CUSMA negotiations and his administration has taken a parting shot at it. It filed a request for consultations with Canada over how it distributed quotas on imports of U.S. dairy products. […]
Dec 14 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Parliament recesses until late January without discussing legislation to implement the agreement. Ottawa—Uncertainty about the Canada-UK trade continuity agreement looms in the wake of the government putting a bill to approve it before Parliament on Dec. 9, and then not pushing for its passage before the legislators went on a six-week Christmas break. MPs […]
Dec 10 2020 — Janyce McGregor — CBC — With MPs set to start their holiday recess soon, concerns are mounting in both British government and Canadian business circles about the House of Commons failing to pass implementation legislation for the new Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement before existing trade rules expire. International Trade Minister Mary Ng introduced bill C-18 on Wednesday. While her officials […]
Dec 10 2020 — The Canadian Press — The British government is concerned and disappointed that Canada’s Parliament won’t be able to formally ratify the countries’ new trade agreement ahead of a Jan. 1 deadline. British trade officials said Thursday they are concerned the delay will inflict “damage and destruction” on businesses, and they blame the situation on Canadian politicians who they say […]
Dec 9 2020 — The Canadian Press — The United States is formally accusing Canada of unfairly limiting the ability of American dairy producers to sell their products north of the border. Robert Lighthizer, President Donald Trump’s trade ambassador, says the U.S. has made a formal request for consultations to address Canada’s limits on a variety of dairy products. It’s a step toward […]
Dec 9 2020 — Janyce McGregor — CBC — International Trade Minister Mary Ng introduced legislation today to implement Canada’s newly signed transitional trade agreement with the United Kingdom — but it’s not likely to become law before the government’s Dec. 31 deadline. A release from the British High Commission said the U.K.’s Deputy High Commissioner for Canada David Reed and John Hannaford, Canada’s […]
Dec 8 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — The need for reform should be evident to all, top WTO officials says. Ottawa—Two years have passed since Canada and 12 other countries formed the Ottawa Group to promote reform of the World Trade Organization to protect international trade rules. On the surface they don’t have a lot to show for their efforts but […]
Nov 24 2020 — Janyce McGregor — CBC — When Canadian trade negotiators begin talks with the United Kingdom next year on a permanent bilateral trade deal, their hands could be tied when it comes to offering any future dairy, egg or poultry concessions, if Parliament passes a new private member’s bill up for its first hour of debate later today. Bloc Québécois MP […]
Nov 21 2020 — Janyce McGregor — CBC — Canada and the United Kingdom have reached an interim post-Brexit trade agreement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Saturday. “Now we get to continue to work on a bespoke agreement, a comprehensive agreement, over the coming years that will really maximize our trade opportunities and boost things for everyone,” Trudeau […]
Nov 19 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — It would protect Canada’s ties with Europe as well. Ottawa—Canada and the United Kingdom are in range of a transitional trade deal to cover the latter’s departure from the European Union and set the stage for the negotiation of a full trade deal later, says a senior government official. Discussions on the transitional deal […]
Nov 18 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Canada needs to better position itself in trade matters. Ottawa—Even as a new occupant of the White House draws closer, the Canadian agrifood sector needs to carefully track what will happen in U.S. farm and food policies, says the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. In a statement on the U.S. election, Tyler McCann, CAPI’s Chief Engagement […]
Nov 17 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Resolving disputes with the EU takes longer than it should. Ottawa—While there are signs of progress in overcoming European obstacles to Canadian agrifood shipments, Ottawa will have to keep the pressure on, says veteran trade negotiator Steve Verheul. Pork and beef shipments still face the most difficulties under the three-year old free trade with […]
Nov 9 2020 — Janyce McGregor — CBC — On the morning of the U.S. election, a Vancouver radio host asked Justin Trudeau what topped his list of cross-border concerns. “Trade,” the prime minister said. “Continuing access to the American market, making sure we’re defending Canadian jobs, defending Canadian workers and ensuring a smooth flow of goods across the border, even in a difficult […]
Nov 2 2020 — Alex Binkley — National Newswatch — Many Canadian food products still hindered by European regulations, says CAFTA. Ottawa –While a pledge to improve trade between Canada and Europe sounds promising, a lot remains to be done to make it a reality, says Dan Darling, President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA). Canada and the EU are championing free trade […]